And if it distress thee that those who deny the truth1 turn their backs on thee - why, then, if thou art able to go down deep into the earth or to ascend a ladder unto heaven2 in order to bring them a [yet more convincing] message, [do so;] but [remember that] had God so willed, He would indeed have gathered them all unto [His] guidance. Do not, therefore, allow thyself to ignore [God's ways].3